Dualism

Question 1

Dualism

Answer 1

Dualism is the belief that the mind and the body are seperate they are seen to be separate and their own thing and the body has no singular existence besides the mind to body connection. It states the mind can live without the body.

Question 2

Mental Acts

Answer 2

Mental acts do not have physical properties and therefore suggest that mental acts are non-physical. However it may be that mental acts are physical, but we are just not normally aware of the physical dimensions.

Question 3

Rene Descartes

Answer 3

16th French Philosopher - supported dualism and famous for the saying, ‘I think therefore I am.’

Question 4

‘I think therefore I am’ (Descartes)

Answer 4

Descartes says we can doubt the existence of our body but we cannot doubt the existence of the mind because to doubt is to think and means the mind must exist.

Question 5

Basic Standard form for Dualism

Answer 5

P1. mental acts do not have physical properties
P2. the body is physical
C. The mind is separate from the body

Question 6

Cartesian Dualism

Answer 6

P1. I am certain that I have a mind
P2. I can be deceived on the existence of my body
P3. the difference in the perception of mind and body imply that they are of different substance
C. The mind and body are separate